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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Pennsylvania: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Pennsylvania employs 2,560 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $71,590 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

Pennsylvania median pay: $71,590 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $55,690
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,960
Top earners (90th percentile): $77,790
Employed in Pennsylvania: 2,560
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Pennsylvania markets:

Philadelphia metro: $76,440 (940 employed)
Lancaster: $72,170 (70 employed)
Lehigh Valley: $64,310 (140 employed)
Scranton–Wilkes-Barre: $63,740 (70 employed)
Pittsburgh: $61,900 (370 employed)
Harrisburg: $61,230 (130 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $71,590 median stretches to roughly $73,350 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Pennsylvania (2024–2034)

Pennsylvania is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +16.6%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 310 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Occupational Therapy Assistant license — regulated by the PA State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure.

Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.
Pass the NBCOT COTA examination.
Apply through the state board with child-abuse-recognition training.

Official requirements: PA State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure →

Training in Pennsylvania

School districts, rehab hospitals, and skilled nursing are the main PA employers. Community college and technical institute programs across the state keep tuition manageable.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

Bucks County Community College — Associate
Butler County Community College — Associate
Central Penn College — Associate
Community College of Allegheny County — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Pennsylvania

Real Pennsylvania outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Novacare Rehabilitation — Aliquippa
Novacare Rehabilitation - 50192 — Altoona
Select Physical Therapy — Annville
Valley View Haven Inc — Belleville
Paramount Rehabilitation Services, LLC — Bethel Park
Powerback Rehabilitation — Bethlehem

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Pennsylvania?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Pennsylvania is $71,590 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $55,690, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,790. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Pennsylvania?

Occupational Therapy Assistant license, overseen by the PA State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure. Complete an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree program.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Pennsylvania?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Pennsylvania metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Pennsylvania metro areas, Philadelphia metro leads at $76,440, followed by Lancaster ($72,170), Lehigh Valley ($64,310). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Pennsylvania?

Real Pennsylvania options include Bucks County Community College, Butler County Community College, Central Penn College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +16.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 310 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the PA State Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.